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Stress-Free Vacation Planning
on Any Budget

In a perfect world, when you head off on vacation, you leave your worries behind. In reality, a SELF.com poll finds that travel comes with tensions—primarily about all those holiday expenses! Bid bon voyage to that anxiety with this guide to satisfying your wanderlust without scrimping.

Pay for the Trip in Advance

Far from being a drag, saving for your vacation can stoke your anticipation of the incredible times to come, making the weeks leading up to your departure more delicious. Simply use these three tiny tricks to collect cash, and feel calmer and happier, before you go.

Be a one-goal gal. People sock away about triple the money when they have a single savings goal in mind (vacation!), versus several, the Journal of Marketing Research reports. With multiple aims—a new bag, a laptop and the vacay, versus only plane fare to Paris—"you'll spend too much time debating the trade-offs between your desires," says study author Min Zhao, Ph.D. "That leads to procrastinating instead of saving." Name your account "Paris or bust!" and keep your eye on the prize each time you transfer cash.

Pay for the Trip in Advance

Watch your language. When trying to resist a temptation (buying that designer purse), use the phrase "I don't want it," rather than "I can't have it." You'll be 61 percent more likely to stick with your goal, research from the University of Houston indicates. "Saying you can't do something makes saving painful because it signals deprivation," says study author Vanessa Patrick, Ph.D. "In contrast, being clear that you're choosing not to spend the cash leaves you feeling empowered." Find the strength to turn down spending opps by repeating "I don't need that."

Pay for the Trip in Advance

Raise the bar. Is your savings goal in sight? Create a visual record of what you've achieved, using a bar graph. "We've seen that when people are more than 60 percent to their goal and can actually see themselves progressing, they're more motivated than if they simply note the dollars they've amassed," explains Amar Cheema, Ph.D., associate professor of marketing at the McIntire School of Commerce. Try the easy graphing tools at Mint.com and discover how cool stats can be.

Craving the Beach?

Instead of the Caribbean, try...Central America. For a St. Bart's experience minus the sticker shock, visit the chic B&Bs, cafes and pristine beaches of Panama, Nicaragua or Costa Rica, where a day of snorkeling costs less than half what it would in the Caribbean, says Richard G. Edwards, cofounder of GreenSpot.travel. "Plus, the diversity of ecosystems means you can explore lush rain forests and volcanoes and see exotic wildlife you would never find in more built-up resort areas," he adds.

Love a Skiing Challenge?

Instead of Aspen, try...Taos, New Mexico. Taos's under-the-radar peaks come with Aspen's jaw-dropping slopes, not the steep prices—$75 will get you a day ski pass, rather than the $100-plus you'd spend in Colorado. "Taos's smaller ski area has fewer high-speed lifts but is free of crowds, which means more time for runs down the mountain," says Jennifer Connelly, Alpine Adventures consultant. Score deals up to 90 percent off at Liftopia.com and LiftTickets.com.

Adore Vibrant Cities?

Instead of New York, try...San Francisco. Leave your heart—not savings—in San Fran. Cultural offerings rival the Big Apple's, but you can luxuriate in centrally located digs for $110 a night; you'd pay up to triple that in NYC, says Lonely Planet's U.S. travel editor, Robert Reid. Skip the car rental and hop public transport to lunch in the boho Mission district ($5 for a to-die-for burrito); a free reading at City Lights books; then hit the Castro Theatre for an indie film.

Longing for Europe?

Instead of Paris, try...Lisbon, Portugal. Often overlooked, Lisbon has its own rich history and culture, just like pricey Paris. "Stroll the hills of the Moorish Alfama, or see dazzling churches and Roman ruins," says Regis St. Louis, author of Lonely Planet Portugal. You can stay in a cozy guesthouse for about 30 euros. At night, listen to soulful fado music at Clube de Fado or sample 100 Maneiras's tasting menu: Ten courses are only 40 euros!

Yearn to Be Indulged?

Try an all-inclusive resort. "Your hotel may take up a big chunk of your budget, but then you can breathe easy because almost everything else is included," says Sally Palaian, Ph.D., author of Spent. Your only decisions will be what to pick from the buffet and whether to spring for more pampering (a massage?). Leave on a Sunday for lower rates, and visit TravelZoo.com or CheaperCaribbean.com to bundle airfare, too.

Happiness bonus: Pampering not only feels good, but it's also good for you: Massages may lower the stress hormone cortisol and increase mood-lifting serotonin, research finds. "Ease any guilt about treating yourself by recalling how hard you've worked for your getaway," says Kate Levinson, Ph.D., author of Emotional Currency. Then relax and enjoy.

Hungry for the Best Local Eats?

Dine well, sleep cheaply. "You can snag inexpensive but authentic accommodations in private homes through reputable sites, like AirBNB.com and OneFineStay.com," says Farnoosh Torabi, author of Psych Yourself Rich. "Plus, your host may direct you to restaurants you won't find in any guidebook." Seeking a Michelin star or two? Visit fancy eateries for lunch, not dinner; scour Groupon.com and LivingSocial.com for discounts; and use the free Eat St. app to ferret out tasty street food (e.g., the best taco or falafel truck in NYC).

Happiness bonus: You get more for your money if you eat adventurously. "Tasting and smelling new food creates more vivid memories," says Nancy Zucker, Ph.D., psychiatry professor at Duke University.

Seeking Culture and Adventure?

Spend on experiences. You'll be too busy to hang at your hotel, so opt for lower-priced B&Bs or do a house swap using a site such as HomeForExchange.com, says Ginita Wall, director of the Women's Institute for Financial Education. "Unless you're a foodie, shell out only for meals that will add to the adventure, like in a lodge atop a mountain." Because outings can add up, "use Twitter to follow tour companies and museums so you can snag deals," Wall says. Don't be afraid to negotiate for cheaper tickets, and chat with locals for info on must-see spots.

Happiness bonus: Street music, galleries and wandering cool 'hoods? Go to it. The more you do, the more you'll gain: Multicultural, varied experiences can stoke creativity, American Psychologist notes.